EP2312811B1 - A handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism - Google Patents
A handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2312811B1 EP2312811B1 EP09172849.3A EP09172849A EP2312811B1 EP 2312811 B1 EP2312811 B1 EP 2312811B1 EP 09172849 A EP09172849 A EP 09172849A EP 2312811 B1 EP2312811 B1 EP 2312811B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- input device
- open position
- face
- keypad
- input
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 title description 15
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 31
- 238000010295 mobile communication Methods 0.000 description 25
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 14
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000002085 persistent effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 208000031872 Body Remains Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000005355 Hall effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011449 brick Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000153 supplemental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
- H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0235—Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
- H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0225—Rotatable telephones, i.e. the body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis perpendicular to the plane they define in closed position
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
- H04M2250/18—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including more than one keyboard unit
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to handheld electronic devices, and more particularly to a handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism.
- Handheld electronic devices are designed with input devices and form factors that best support the intended use(s) of such devices.
- handheld electronic devices may be provided with a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, gamepad, touchscreen or combination of such input devices.
- handheld electronic devices may have a rigid form factor such as a bar or brick form factor, or a moving form factor such as a slider, twist or flip form factor. Moving form factors allow device users to transform the device from one form factor to another by sliding, twisting or otherwise moving parts of the device to present alternative keypads to the user.
- Moving form factors such as slider phones and flip phones offer a variety of interfaces, but are typically limited to an open and closed device position.
- the software and uses of handheld electronic devices are constantly evolving. Existing form factors and input interfaces provided by these form factors may be limiting in view of new device software and uses.
- EP 1 944 949 A1 describes a mobile phone having first and second housings which offer two different operational positions: a closed position and an open position.
- a closed position the user has access to a display and a first key pad provided on a first housing of the device.
- the display may be slideable to hide and show the first keypad.
- the open position the second housing is moved downward and rotated with respect to the first housing.
- the second and third key pads on the second housing are aligned with the first key pad on the first housing to form a full QWERTY keyboard.
- GB 2 417 851 A discloses a portable information apparatus having first and second body parts that provides a closed position and first and second open positions.
- the first body part In the first open position, the first body part may be moved upwardly with respect to the second body from the closed position to the first open position in which a portion of a keypad on the second body part is exposed.
- the first body part may be rotated to 180 degrees from the first open position to the second open position to expose the full keypad.
- US 2009/0231785 A1 discloses a portable electronic device having a front section and rear section.
- the device has a first (closed) position in which the front section of the device covers the rear section.
- the front section of the can be slid upwards relative to the rear section from the first position to a "trigger point" at which the device automatically rotates the rear section 90 degrees with respect to the front section in a first angular direction to complete the transition of the device to a second (open) position.
- CN 1 652 547 A discloses a flip-style or clam-shell style handheld electronic device comprised of two main bodies which are generally cylindrical in shape.
- the inner surface of the upper body includes a display and the inner surface of the lower body is provided with an input device such as a keypad.
- the upper body is rotatable with respect to the other body between a first position in which the display has a portrait orientation and a second position wherein the display has a landscape orientation.
- the present disclosure provides a handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism for changing between multiple device positions.
- a slide-and-twist style form factor allows the device configuration and/or exposed input devices to be changed by the device user.
- the different device positions may support different operational modes or uses of the device by exposing different input devices.
- a handheld electronic device comprising: a controller; a first input device connected to the controller; a second input device connected to the controller; a first body having a first face and a second face; a second body having a first face and a second face, the first and second input devices being located on the first face of the second body; the first body being connected to the second body for sliding movement between a closed position and a first open position, wherein in the closed position the first body covers at least a portion of the second body, and wherein in the first open position the first input device is exposed on the first face of the second body; and wherein the second body is rotatable 180 degrees relative to the first body between the first open position and a second open position, wherein in the second open position the second input device is exposed on the first face of the second body while the first input device is substantially covered by the first body.
- a display screen is provided on the first face of the first body, and the first and second input device are each one of a full keyboard, reduced keyboard, numeric keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad; and wherein the first and second input device are different.
- the first input device is a full keyboard, reduced keyboard or numeric keypad
- the second input device is a navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad.
- the display screen is a touchscreen providing a further input device.
- the device further comprises: a third input device connected to the controller; wherein the second body is rotatable relative to the first body between the first open position and a third open position, wherein in the third open position the third input device is exposed on the first face of the second body.
- the second body is rotatable in a first direction relative to the first body between the first open position and the second position, and wherein the second body is rotatable relative in a second direction to the first body between the first open position and the third open position.
- the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counterclockwise.
- the first and second bodies are generally cylindrical in shape, the first and second faces of the first and second bodies being generally circular in shape, and the device further comprises: a rotatable outer ring disposed on the one of the first and second bodies, the outer ring being rotatable about a peripheral edge surface thereof and having openings formed therein for selectively exposing one or more interface ports located in the peripheral edge surface.
- the device further comprises: a further input device on the first face of the first body.
- the first and second bodies are generally cylindrical in shape, the first and second faces of the first and second bodies being generally circular in shape, the device further comprising a rotatable outer ring disposed on the one of the first and second bodies, the outer ring having a predetermined position in which at least one of the first, second or further input devices is disabled.
- the further input device is disabled when the outer ring is moved into the predetermined position.
- the first body has a convex sliding surface on which the second face of the first body is located, and the second body has a correspondingly shaped concave sliding surface on which the first face of the second body is located, wherein the first body is connected to the second body for sliding movement between the closed position and the first open position along the convex and concave sliding surfaces.
- the first face of the first body lies in a first plane in the closed position, the first face of the first body lying in a second plane in the first open position, the second plane being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first plane.
- the first face of the first body remains in the second plane when the device is in the second open position.
- FIGs. 1 to 7 illustrate a handheld electronic device 10 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the device 10 includes two body parts that are movable relative to each other between a closed (or neutral) position, a first open position and a second open position. These device positions may be associated with different operational modes of the device 10, such as a first, second and third mode of operation respectively.
- the device 10 is a slide-and-twist-style device having a first (or top) body 12 and a second (or bottom) body 14. It will be understood that while the first body is referred to as the top body 12 and that the second body is referred to as bottom body 14, these references are used only for convenience based on a normal position in which the device 10 is held. The references to the top body 12 and bottom body 14 are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, it will be understood that device 10 is shown schematically in the drawings for the purpose of illustration and that the thickness and size of the respective body parts may vary from that shown in the drawings and between different embodiments.
- the top body 12 and bottom body 14 each comprise a rigid case housing device components.
- the top body 12 typically houses a speaker 36 and a display screen 38 while the bottom body 14 typically houses two or more input devices, a microphone 39 and the majority of the electronic circuitry for the device 10.
- the components housed within or carried by each of the bodies 12, 14 can vary between devices.
- the device 10 may also be provided with one or more interface ports 43 ( FIG. 4 ) such as input/output ports (e.g., jacks, ports or card slots).
- interface ports 43 typically depends on the respective type of interface.
- a headset jack and USB port are typically located in a peripheral edge surface 20, 26 of the top body 12 or bottom body 14, respectively, as is known in the art, although the actual location of the interface ports 43 may vary between devices and interface types.
- the top body 12 has first and second faces 16 and 18 respectively, with the peripheral edge surface 20 interconnecting the first and second faces 16, 18.
- the bottom body 14 has first and second faces 22 and 24 respectively, with the peripheral edge surface 26 interconnecting the first and second faces 22, 24.
- the first face 16 of the top body 12 and the first face 22 of the bottom body 14 are front faces
- the second face 18 of the top body 12 and the second face 24 of the bottom body 14 are back faces.
- a first input device 40 and a second input device 42 are provided on the first face 22 of the bottom body 14.
- the speaker 36 is provided on the first face 16 of the top body 12 and the microphone 39 is provided on the first face 22 of the bottom body 14.
- the device 10 is not a communication device, one or both of the speaker 36 or microphone 39 may be omitted.
- the first face 16 of the top body 12 could be provided with an input device in some embodiments.
- the input device could be a touchscreen formed using the display screen 38 thereby providing the device user with an additional user interface when the device 10 is in the closed position.
- a touchscreen display comprises a display screen, which could be the display screen 38, with a touch-sensitive input surface or overlay connected to an electronic controller.
- an input device such as a keypad could be provided in the first face 16 of the top body 12 when the display screen 38 is a touchscreen.
- the top and bottom bodies 12, 14 are connected for sliding movement of the top and bottom bodies 12, 14 relative to each other between the closed position and the first open position.
- the sliding movement allows the overall length of the device 10 to be extended by moving the device 10 from the closed position to the first open position, or contracted by moving the device 10 from the first open position to the closed position.
- the sliding movement is typically linear movement as represented by the arrow 28 in FIG. 6 and 7 .
- the teachings of the present disclosure could be applied to non-linear sliding mechanisms and multi-direction sliding mechanisms.
- the sliding movement could be caused by transformation or movement along a non-linear channel or track.
- the non-linear track could comprise a series of linear tracks of different orientations (e.g. up, left, up) to define a non-linear path of movement from one end of the track to the other.
- the bottom body 14 has first and second faces 22, 24 interconnected by peripheral edge surface 26.
- the bottom body 14 also has a geometric centre 34.
- the top body 12 also has a geometric centre 32. In the closed position, the respective geometric centres 32, 34 of the top body 12 and bottom body 14 are substantially aligned. In the shown embodiment, no input device is exposed in the closed position. In the first open position, the first input device 40 is exposed on the first face 22 of the bottom body 14.
- an input device may be provided and exposed in the closed position.
- the input device could be a touchscreen which takes the place of the display screen 38 or a supplemental keypad or keyboard below the display screen 38.
- the microphone 39, an audio input device, could also be provided on the first face 16 (e.g. front face) of the top body 14.
- the top and bottom bodies 12, 14 are also connected for rotational or twisting movement of the bottom body 14 relative to the top body 12 between the first open position and the second open position and vice versa.
- the second input device 42 is exposed on the first face 22 of the bottom body 14.
- the top and bottom bodies 12, 14 could be connected for rotational or twisting movement of the top body 12 relative the bottom body 14.
- the rotational movement is represented by the arrow 30 in FIG. 6 .
- the second body 14 is rotatable relative to the first body 12 between the first open position and a second open position in a substantially 180 degree range.
- the bottom body 14 could be rotated 360 degrees relative to the top body 12, or vice versa.
- Each of the first and second open positions exposes a different area of the first face 22 of the bottom body 14.
- the rotational or twisting movement changes the exposed area of the first face 22 to expose a different user interface.
- the device 10 has a pivot point which is located at or near the centre of the top and bottom bodies 12, 14 and is substantially aligned with the geometric centres 32, 34 of the top body 12 and bottom body 14 respectively.
- the device 10 could have a pivot point which is off-centre.
- the pivot point could be offset to the left or right of the geometric centres 32, 34 of the top body 12 and bottom body 14 respectively.
- the top body 12 covers substantially all of the first face 22 of the bottom body 14. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments some of the first face 22 may remain exposed when the device 10 is in the closed position.
- the first input device 40 and second input device 42 may be substantially covered by the top body 12.
- the first open position the first input device 40 is exposed while the second input device 42 is substantially covered by the top body 12.
- the second open position the second input device 42 is exposed while the first input device 40 is substantially covered by the top body 12.
- the first and second input device 40, 42 are located at opposed ends of the first face 22 of the bottom body 14 in the shown embodiment.
- the first and second input device 40, 42 may be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) of the device 10 and extend through openings in the rigid casing of the bottom body 14.
- PCB printed circuit board
- the first input device 40 is mounted so as to be rotated 180 degrees relative to the second input device 42. That is, the first input device 40 has a working orientation which is rotated 180 degrees with respect to a working orientation of the second input device 42.
- the first and second input device 40, 42 may each be one of a full keyboard, reduced keyboard, numeric keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad, camera keypad or other suitable input device.
- the first and second input devices 40, 42 are each different.
- the first input device 40 could be a full keyboard (which could be configured in a familiar QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY or Dvorak layout as is known in the art), a reduced keyboard such as that described in U.S. Patent No.
- a numeric or telephone keypad such as a keypad layout based on the ITU standard (ITU E.161)
- the second input device 42 could be a touchpad, a touchscreen, a navigation pad, an Internet browser keypad, a gaming keypad, a media playback keypad, a camera keypad, or other suitable input device.
- the display screen 38 is a touchscreen providing a further input device
- the first input device 40 is a full keyboard, reduced keyboard or numeric keypad
- the second input device 42 is a navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad.
- the bottom body 14 slides linearly downwardly with respect to the top body 12 by means of a sliding mechanism (not shown).
- a sliding mechanism (not shown).
- Many sliding mechanisms for handheld electronic devices are known to persons skilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein. Any suitable sliding mechanism may be used.
- the sliding mechanism could comprise a linear channel or track defined in the second face 18 of the top body 12 and a pin extending from the first face 22 of the bottom body 14 and received in the track (not shown).
- the pin extends from a central portion of the bottom body 14.
- the sliding mechanism and the portion in which the pin is located typically remain substantially hidden or covered between the first and second bodies 12, 14.
- the ends of the linear track define the bounds of sliding movement represented by the arrow 28.
- the geometric centres 32, 34 of the top body 12 and bottom body 14 are substantially aligned with the track.
- the diameter of the pin and the width of the track are mutually sized for smooth travel during movement of the pin along the track.
- the end of the pin includes a head or engaging member received within the first body interior to the second face 18 of the top body 12.
- the head of the pin acts as a cam during travel of the pin during linear sliding movement. This configuration allows the device 10 to slide open and closed regardless of the input device (e.g., the first input device 40 or second input device 42)
- the sliding movement proceeds in the direction of the arrow 28 such that the geometric centre 34 of the bottom body 14 is displaced linearly downwardly with respect to the geometric centre 32 of the top body 12.
- a portion (identified as D1 in FIG. 6 ) of the previously covered first face 22 of the bottom body 14 is exposed thereby allowing the user to access one or more input devices, such as a keypad or keyboard, that was previously hidden or inaccessible, while a portion of the first face 22 remains hidden or covered.
- the bottom body 14 can be rotated 180 degrees about its geometric centre 34 with respect to the top body 12 to the second open position.
- the pin provides a pivot point for rotation.
- the device 10 could be rotated without being in a fully open position such as the first open position. It is possible that the device 10 could be rotated within the closed position in some embodiments. In other embodiments, rotation of the device 10 may be limited to when it is in a fully open position such as the first open position or second open position.
- a portion (identified as D2 in FIG. 7 ) of the first face 22 of the bottom body 14 that remained hidden or inaccessible in the first open position becomes exposed allowing the user to access one or more additional and possibly different input devices (such as a different keypad or keyboard, or navigation controls) that were previously hidden or covered.
- the input devices that were available to the user in the first open position become hidden or covered in the second open position.
- the portion D1 of the first face 22 of the bottom body 14 that is exposed in the first open position ( FIG. 6 ) is equal to the portion D2 of the first face 22 that becomes exposed in the second open position ( FIG. 7 ).
- there are typically portions of the top and bottom bodies 12, 14 which always remain hidden or covered, such as the portions used by the sliding and rotating mechanisms.
- a second closed position may be provided in some embodiments (not shown).
- the device 10 may be closed from the second open position by sliding movement from the second open position to the second closed position.
- the first body 12 would cover at least a portion of the second body 14, typically substantially all of the first body 12.
- the second closed position would appear very similar to the closed position shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that the second body 14 would be rotated 180 degrees relative to what is shown in FIG. 1 .
- the location of the interface ports 43 e.g., jacks, ports or card slots
- the device 10 does not expose or provide an input device in the closed position.
- an input device may be exposed in the closed position in other embodiments.
- the first input device 40 is exposed and accessible to the device user while the second input device 42 is hidden or covered.
- the second input device 42 is exposed and accessible to the device user while the first input device 40 is hidden or covered.
- the closed position ( FIG. 1 ) may be associated with a first mode of operation of the device 10
- the first open position ( FIG. 2 ) may be associated with a second mode of operation of the device 10
- the second open position ( FIG. 4 ) may be associated with a third mode of operation of the device 10.
- a controller of the device 10 is configured to detect changes in device position and automatically change between the first, second and third operational modes of the device in accordance with the device position following a detected change in the device position.
- the process of changing the operational mode may comprise change the active application on the device 10 and/or changing the active input device(s) and possibly the active output devices.
- the closed position may be associated with a view/visual only mode, audio only mode or audio-visual mode, depending which of the speaker 36 or non-touchscreen-based display screen 38 are provided. No input device is exposed when the device 10 is in the closed position ( FIG. 1 ) so the use of the device 10 is limited to viewing visual content reproduced on the display screen 38 and/or listening to audio content reproduced via the speaker 36.
- the first open position may be associated with a communication mode (e.g., telephone or email mode) by exposing a numeric, full keyboard and/or reduced keyboard as the first input device 40.
- the second open position may be associated with a gaming mode by providing and exposing a gaming keypad as the second input device 42.
- the device 10 transitions from the closed position to the first open position by means of a sliding mechanism which allows the bottom body 14 to be displaced linearly downwardly with respect to the top body 12 as in the first embodiment.
- the sliding movement is typically linear movement as represented by the arrow 29 in FIG. 9 and 10 .
- a portion identified as D1 in FIG. 9
- the bottom body 14 rotates or pivots about a point 48 offset from the geometric centre 34 of the bottom body 14.
- the portion of the first face 22 of the bottom body 14 that becomes exposed as the device 10 transitions from the first open position to the second open position is not the same size as the portion D1 of the first face 22 that is exposed in the first position.
- the exposed portion D2 is smaller than the exposed portion D1. It will be appreciated that the sliding movement 29 required to expose the smaller exposed position D2 is shorter than the sliding movement 29 required to expose the larger exposed position D1 in the shown embodiment.
- the handheld electronic device 100 has a generally circular or cylindrical slide-and-twist-style form factor.
- the device 100 includes two main body parts that are movable relative to each other between a closed position and at least a first open position and second open position.
- the device 100 has a slide-and-twist-style device having a first (or top) body 112 and a second (or bottom) body 114. It will be understood that while the first body is referred to as the top body 112 and that the second body is referred to as the bottom body 114, these references are used only for convenience based on a normal position in which the device 10 is held. The references to the top body 112 and bottom body 114 are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, it will be understood that device 100 is shown schematically in the drawings for the purpose of illustration and that the thickness and size of the respective body parts may vary from that shown in the drawings and between different examples.
- the top body 112 has first and second faces 116, 118, and a peripheral edge surface 120 interconnecting the first and second faces 116, 118.
- the bottom body 114 has first and second faces 122, 124 and a peripheral edge surface 126 interconnecting the first and second faces 122, 124.
- the first faces 116, 122 and second faces 118, 124 of the first and second bodies 112, 114 are generally circular in shape.
- the top and bottom bodies 112, 114 are connected for sliding movement of the top and bottom bodies 112, 114 relative to each other between a closed position and a first open position.
- the sliding movement allows the overall length of the device 100 to be extended by moving the device 100 from the closed position to first open position, or contracted by moving the device 100 from the first open position to the closed position.
- the sliding movement is typically linear movement as represented by the arrow 128 in FIG. 12 .
- the bottom body 114 has a first input device 140, second input device 142 and third input device 144 located in the first face 122.
- the first, second and third input devices 140, 142 are each connected to the controller of the device 100.
- a microphone (not shown) could also be provided in the first face 122 of the bottom body 114 when the device 100 is a communication device.
- the top body 112 has a speaker 136 and a display screen 138 located in the first face 116.
- the first input device 140, second input device 142 and third input device 144 occupy substantially equally sized portions of the first face 122 of the bottom body 114.
- substantially all of the first face 122 of the bottom body 114 is allocated to the input devices and is separated into three equal portions with the first input device 140, second input device 142 and third input device 144 occupying one of these portions.
- the first input device 140, second input device 142 and third input device 144 may occupy less than substantially all of the first face 122 of the bottom body 114, may be different sizes, or both.
- the top body 112 and bottom body 114 are also connected for rotational movement of the bottom body 114 relative to the top body 112 between the first open position and a second open position.
- first open position a portion of the previously covered first face 122 of the bottom body 114 (identified as D1 in FIG. 12 ) having the first input device 140 is exposed on the first face 122 of the bottom body 114.
- second open position a portion of the previously covered first face 122 of the bottom body 114 having the second input device 142 is exposed on the first face 122 of the bottom body 114.
- the bottom body 114 is also rotatable relative to the top body 112 between the first open position and a third open position.
- the third open position a portion of the previously covered first face 122 of the bottom body 114 having the third input device 144 is exposed on the first face 122 of the bottom body 114.
- the third input device 144 is exposed while the first input device 140 and second input device 142 are substantially covered by the first body 112.
- the rotational movement of the device 100 is represented by arrow 130 ( FIG. 12 ) and allows the exposed portion of the first face 122 of the bottom body 114 to be changed to show a respective one of the first input device 140, second input device 142 or third input device 144, depending upon the position of the bottom body 114.
- the bottom body 114 is rotatable in a first direction relative to the top body 112 between the first open position and the second position, and the bottom body 114 is rotatable relative in a second direction to the top body 112 between the first open position and the third open position.
- the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counterclockwise.
- the top body 112 has a geometric centre 132 and the bottom body 114 has a geometric centre 134.
- the top body 112 covers substantially all of the first face 122 of the bottom body 114. In this position, the respective geometric centres 132, 134 of the top and bottom bodies 112, 114 are substantially aligned.
- the device 100 is opened to the first open position (see FIG.
- the bottom body 114 slides linearly downwardly with respect to the top body 112 in the direction of arrow 128 such that the geometric centre 134 of the bottom body 114 is displaced linearly downwardly with respect to the geometric centre 132 of the top body 112, thereby exposing a portion of the previously covered first face 122 of the bottom body 114 and allowing the user to access the first input device 140 that was previously hidden or inaccessible, while a portion of the first face 122 remains hidden or covered.
- the bottom body 114 can be rotated about its geometric centre 134 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction into the second open position or third open position.
- a portion of the first face 122 of the bottom body 114 becomes exposed, thereby allowing access to the second input device 142 that was previously hidden or inaccessible in the first open position, while a portion of the first face 122 remains hidden or covered.
- the device 100 When the device 100 is rotated from the first open position into the third open position, a portion of the first face 122 of the bottom body 114 becomes exposed thereby allowing access to the third input device 144 that was previously hidden or inaccessible in the first open position, while a portion of the first face 122 remains hidden or covered.
- the bottom body 114 is rotatable relative to the top body 112 between the first open position and the second open position. Further rotation moves the device 100 from the second open position to the third open position.
- the direction of rotation could be either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on the example. The reversing the direction allows the device 100 to be moved from the third open position to the second open position, and from the second open position to the first open position.
- the device 100 can be rotated freely in 360 degrees. As with the device 10 described above in FIG. 1 to 10 , in some examples the device 100 could be rotated without being in a fully open position such as the first open position. It is possible that the device 100 could be rotated within the closed position in some embodiments. In other examples, rotation of the device 10 may be limited to when it is in a fully open position such as the first open position, second open position or third open position.
- the first, second and third input devices 140, 142 and 144 may each be one of a full keyboard, reduced keyboard, numeric keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad, camera keypad or other suitable input device.
- the first, second and third input devices 140, 142 and 144 are each different.
- the display screen 138 could be a touchscreen in some examples thereby providing a further input device.
- the top body 112 could have a further input device 146 located in the first face 116 as shown in FIGs. 11 to 13 .
- the further input device 146 is located below the display screen 138.
- the touchscreen and/or further input device 146 provide input device(s) when the device 100 is in the closed position, and provides a further input device in the first, second and/or third open positions.
- the provision of the further input device 136 such as an additional keypad on the first face 116 of the top body 112 allows for further customization of the device 100 so as to best suit the user interfaces to the specific applications of the device 100.
- the first input device 140, second input device 142 and third input device 144 each comprise a keypad, wherein the keypad of the first input device 140, second input device 142 and third input device 144 are each different.
- the first input device 140 is a full keyboard
- the second input device 142 is a touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad
- the third input device 144 is a reduced keyboard or numeric keypad.
- any of the embodiments described in the present disclosure may be provided with arresting or resisting features which cause the device to lock or click into place when moved into one of the defined device positions (e.g., closed position, first open position, second open position, etc.).
- the arresting or resisting features may be detents provided by the first and second bodies of the devices.
- the detents are locating features which stop the device when moved into one of the defined device position and holds the device in that device position until a releasing force is applied to move it out of the current device position.
- the detents may also notify the user that the device has been transformed into a new form factor by providing tactile and/or audible feedback.
- the operation and construction of detents for electronic devices is known in the art and will only be described briefly herein.
- the detents may be provided by a catch formed in the first body or second body and a complimentary shaped notch formed in the other of the first body or second body.
- the catch and notch are located such that, when the device is moved into one of the defined device positions, the catch in the one body grabs the notch in the other body and holds the notch via a friction force fit.
- a releasing force of predetermined magnitude or more is required to dislodge or remove the catch from the notch. This holds the device in the defined device position and reduces accidental changes in form factor which may otherwise occur during normal use as a result of the normal application of force when interacting with the device.
- the grabbing of the notch may also provide "click" feedback notifying the device user that the device has been transformed into a new form factor.
- the feedback may be tactile feedback from vibration caused by the catch grabbing the notch, auditory feedback from an audible sound caused by the catch grabbing the notch, or both.
- more or less than three input devices could be provided on the bottom body 114 of the circular slide-and-twist-style device 100.
- FIG. 14 illustrates a handheld electronic device 100 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a second implementation example of the present disclosure.
- the device 100 is a circular slide-and-twist-style device 100 similar to that described above in connection with FIG. 11 to 13 .
- the device 100 includes a circular external (or outer) ring 150 is mounted on the top body 112 which is slidable on or rotatable about the peripheral edge surface 120 of the top body 112. While the outer ring 150 has been described in connection with the top body 112, it will be understood that this feature could also be applied to the bottom body 114 in addition to, or instead of, the top body 112.
- openings 152 are provided in the circular outer ring 150.
- specific areas of the peripheral edge surface 120 are exposed and accessible to the device user.
- the outer ring 150 acts as a cover which can be rotated about the top body 112 to selectively expose or hide the interface ports 143 by aligning the respective openings 152 with the desired interface 143.
- the outer ring 150 could be rotated and optionally clicked by detent into a predetermined position in which one or more of the input devices of the device 100 are electronically disconnected or disabled.
- the one or more input devices are electronically disabled in that no input is generated even though the input device may still be physically actuated (e.g., when the input device is a keypad the keys can still be pressed but no input signal is generated).
- This allows the device 100 to be carried in a pocket or purse without holstering it and without generating inputs in response to accidental key presses.
- the outer ring 150 provides an input device lockout (such as a keypad lockout) to prevent inputs from being generated in response to accidental key presses.
- the lockout feature may be provided in addition to or instead of the openings 152 in the ring 150, depending on the example.
- the lockout feature electronically disables at least the further input device(s) on the first face 116 of the top body 112 such as the keypad 146 when the outer ring is moved into the predetermined position.
- any one or more of the input devices 140, 142 and 144 could be locked in addition to or instead of the keypad 146 on the first face 116 of the top body 112, depending on the example.
- the exposed input device may be locked in addition to, or instead of, the keypad 146 on the first face 116 of the top body 112.
- the keypad 146 is a media player keypad which is disabled when the ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position.
- the predetermined position corresponds to the location of a switch (or actuator) which is activated when the outer ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position.
- the switch then generates an input which disconnects or disables the affected input device(s) in response to activation.
- the switch could be implemented by a latch belonging to a detent in the outer ring 150 which depresses or otherwise actuates a switch or button which are aligned when the outer ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position, the alignment of a pair of contacts when the outer ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position, or the detection of a magnet in the outer ring 150 by a hall effect sensor/switch in the top body 112 when the outer ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position.
- FIG. 15 illustrates a handheld electronic device 100 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a third implementation example of the present disclosure.
- the device 100 is a circular slide-and-twist-style device 100 similar to that described above in connection with the third embodiment of FIG. 11 to 13 and fourth embodiment of FIG. 14 .
- the device 100 is provided with a chain or strap 156 which is secured to an opening defined in the rigid case of the top body 112 or bottom body 114, or an eyelet attached to the top body 112 or bottom body 114.
- the strap 156 allows the device 100 to be worn around the neck of the device user. It will be understood that a strap could be incorporated into any of the embodiments described in the present disclosure.
- the device 200 is in the form of a slide-and-twist-style device as described above in connection with FIGs. 1-8 .
- the sliding movement occurs along an arc rather than along a linear path.
- the device 200 could also be adapted for a generally circular slide-and-twist-style device as described above in connection with FIGs. 11-15 .
- the device 200 of the present embodiment has a first (or top) body 212 and a second (or bottom) body 214.
- the top body 212 has first and second faces 216 and 218 respectively, and a peripheral edge surface 220 interconnecting the first and second faces 216, 218.
- the bottom body 214 has first and second faces 222 and 224 respectively, and a peripheral edge surface 226 interconnecting the first and second faces 222, 224.
- the first face 216 of the top body 212 and the first face 222 of the bottom body 214 are front faces
- the second face 218 of the top body 212 and the second face 224 of the bottom body 214 are back faces.
- the top and bottom bodies 212, 214 are connected for sliding movement of the top and bottom bodies 212, 214 relative to each other between the closed position and the first open position.
- the sliding movement allows the overall length of the device 200 to be extended by moving the device 200 from the closed position to first open position, or contracted by moving the device 200 from the first open position to the closed position.
- the top body 212 covers substantially all of the first face 222 of the bottom body 214.
- a first input device 240 is exposed on the first face 222 of the bottom body 214.
- the top body 212 has a convex sliding surface 255 on which the second face 218 of the first body 212 is located, and the bottom body 214 has a correspondingly shaped concave sliding surface 257 on which the first face 222 of the bottom body 214 is located.
- the top body 212 is connected to the bottom body 214 for sliding movement between the closed position and the first open position along the convex and concave sliding surfaces 255, 257.
- the sliding mechanism between the top and bottom bodies 212, 214 causes the top and bottom bodies 212, 214 to move relative to each other along the arc of the corresponding convex and concave surfaces 255, 257 as opposed to a linear sliding movement as in the above-described example embodiments.
- top and bottom bodies 212, 214 are also connected for rotational movement of the bottom body 214 relative to the top body 212 between the first open position and the second open position and vice versa.
- a second input device 242 is exposed on the first face 222 of the bottom body 214.
- a display screen 238 provided on the first face 216 of the top body 212 lies in a first plane generally parallel to the bottom of the device 200 (the second face 224 of the bottom body 214 in FIG. 16 ).
- the display screen 238 lies in a second plane positioned at an acute angle with respect to the first plane. In this position, the display screen 238 is directed towards the device user.
- the angled position of the display screen 238 is maintained. The angled position of the display screen 238 facilitates viewing of the screen 238 when the device 200 is in first and second open positions, and possibly third open positions.
- FIG. 17 illustrates the electronic components of a mobile communication device 301 to which the slide-and-twist style form factor described in the present disclosure can be applied.
- the mobile communication device 301 is a two-way communication device having data and/or voice communication capabilities, and the capability to communicate with other computer systems, for example, via the Internet.
- the device may be a multiple-mode communication device configured for both data and voice communication, a smartphone, a mobile telephone or a PDA (personal digital assistant) enabled for wireless communication, or a computer system with a wireless modem.
- PDA personal digital assistant
- the mobile communication device 301 includes a controller comprising at least one processor 310 (such as a microprocessor) which controls the overall operation of the device 301.
- the processor 310 interacts with device subsystems such as a wireless communication subsystem 312 for exchanging radio frequency signals with a wireless network (not shown) to perform communication functions.
- a wireless communication subsystem 312 for exchanging radio frequency signals with a wireless network (not shown) to perform communication functions.
- the particular design of the wireless communication subsystem 312 depends on the wireless network in which the mobile communication device 301 is intended to operate.
- the processor 310 interacts with additional device subsystems including a display (or display screen) 314 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, input devices 316 comprising any combination of two or more of a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad, camera keypad or other suitable input device (including, possibly, two or more of the same type of input device), flash memory 318, random access memory (RAM) 320, read only memory (ROM) 322, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 324, data port 326 such as a serial data port, speaker 328, microphone 330, short-range communication subsystem 332, and other device subsystems generally designated as 334.
- a display or display screen
- input devices 316 comprising any combination of two or more of a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad, camera keypad or other suitable input device (including, possibly, two or more of the same
- the processor 310 operates under stored program control and executes software modules 340 stored in memory such as persistent memory, for example, in the flash memory 318.
- the software modules 340 comprise operating system software 342 and software applications 344.
- the software modules 340 or parts thereof may be temporarily loaded into volatile memory such as the RAM 320.
- the RAM 320 is used for storing runtime data variables and other types of data or information, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Although specific functions are described for various types of memory, this is merely one example, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that a different assignment of functions to types of memory could also be used.
- the mobile communication device 301 also includes a removable memory card or memory module 346 (typically comprising flash memory) and a memory card interface 348.
- the memory card 346 is inserted in or connected to the memory card interface 348 of the mobile communication device 301 in order to operate in conjunction with the wireless network.
- the mobile communication device 301 stores data 345 in an erasable persistent memory, which in one example embodiment is the flash memory 318.
- the data 345 includes service data comprising information required by the mobile communication device 301 to establish and maintain communication with the wireless network.
- the data 345 may also include user application data such as email messages, address book and contact information, calendar and schedule information, notepad documents, image files, and other commonly stored user information stored on the mobile communication device 301 by its user, and other data.
- the data 345 stored in the persistent memory (e.g. flash memory 318) of the mobile communication device 301 may be organized, at least partially, into a number of databases each containing data items of the same data type or associated with the same application. For example, email messages, contact records, and task items may be stored in individual databases within the device memory.
- the mobile communication device 301 also includes a battery 350 as a power source, which is typically one or more rechargeable batteries that may be charged, for example, through charging circuitry coupled to a battery interface such as the serial data port 326.
- the battery 350 provides electrical power to at least some of the electrical circuitry in the mobile communication device 301 and the battery interface 352 provides a mechanical and electrical connection for the battery 350.
- the battery interface 352 is coupled to a regulator (not shown) which provides power V+ to the circuitry of the mobile communication device 301.
- the short-range communication subsystem 332 provides for communication between the mobile communication device 301 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices.
- the subsystem 332 may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a wireless bus protocol compliant communication mechanism such as a Bluetooth® communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.
- a predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, including data and possibly voice communication applications will normally be installed on the mobile communication device 301 during or after manufacture. Additional applications and/or upgrades to the operating system 342 or software applications 344 may also be loaded onto the mobile communication device 301 through the wireless network, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 324, the serial port 326, the short-range communication subsystem 332, or other suitable subsystem 334.
- the downloaded programs or code modules may be permanently installed, for example, written into the program memory (i.e. the flash memory 318), or written into and executed from the RAM 320 for execution by the processor 310 at runtime.
- Such flexibility in application installation increases the functionality of the mobile communication device 301 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or both.
- secure communication applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using the mobile communication device 301.
- the mobile communication device 301 may provide two principal modes of communication: a data communication mode and/or a voice communication mode, although additional modes of operation for the mobile communication device 301 are contemplated.
- a received data signal such as a text message, an email message, or Web page download will be processed by the communication subsystem 312 and input to the processor 310 for further processing.
- a downloaded Web page may be further processed by a browser application or an email message may be processed by an email message messaging application and output to the display 314.
- a user of the mobile communication device 301 may also compose data items, such as email messages, for example, using the input devices in conjunction with the display 314. These composed items may be transmitted through the communication subsystem 312 over the wireless network.
- the mobile communication device 301 provides telephony functions and operates as a typical cellular phone.
- the overall operation is similar, except that the received signals would be output to the speaker 328 and signals for transmission would be generated by a transducer such as the microphone 330.
- the telephony functions are provided by a combination of software/firmware (i.e., the voice communication module) and hardware (i.e., the microphone 330, the speaker 328 and input devices).
- Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the mobile communication device 301.
- voice or audio signal output is typically accomplished primarily through the speaker 328, the display screen 314 may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
Description
- The present disclosure relates generally to handheld electronic devices, and more particularly to a handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism.
- Handheld electronic devices are designed with input devices and form factors that best support the intended use(s) of such devices. For example, handheld electronic devices may be provided with a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, gamepad, touchscreen or combination of such input devices. Similarly, handheld electronic devices may have a rigid form factor such as a bar or brick form factor, or a moving form factor such as a slider, twist or flip form factor. Moving form factors allow device users to transform the device from one form factor to another by sliding, twisting or otherwise moving parts of the device to present alternative keypads to the user.
- Moving form factors such as slider phones and flip phones offer a variety of interfaces, but are typically limited to an open and closed device position. In addition, the software and uses of handheld electronic devices are constantly evolving. Existing form factors and input interfaces provided by these form factors may be limiting in view of new device software and uses.
-
EP 1 944 949 A1 describes a mobile phone having first and second housings which offer two different operational positions: a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the user has access to a display and a first key pad provided on a first housing of the device. The display may be slideable to hide and show the first keypad. In the open position, the second housing is moved downward and rotated with respect to the first housing. The second and third key pads on the second housing are aligned with the first key pad on the first housing to form a full QWERTY keyboard. -
GB 2 417 851 A -
US 2009/0231785 A1 discloses a portable electronic device having a front section and rear section. The device has a first (closed) position in which the front section of the device covers the rear section. The front section of the can be slid upwards relative to the rear section from the first position to a "trigger point" at which the device automatically rotates the rear section 90 degrees with respect to the front section in a first angular direction to complete the transition of the device to a second (open) position. -
CN 1 652 547 A discloses a flip-style or clam-shell style handheld electronic device comprised of two main bodies which are generally cylindrical in shape. The inner surface of the upper body includes a display and the inner surface of the lower body is provided with an input device such as a keypad. The upper body is rotatable with respect to the other body between a first position in which the display has a portrait orientation and a second position wherein the display has a landscape orientation. -
-
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first example embodiment of a slide-and-twist style handheld electronic device in a closed position; -
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the device ofFIG. 1 in a first open position; -
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the device ofFIG. 1 in the first open position; -
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the device ofFIG. 1 in a second open position; -
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic top view of the device ofFIG. 1 in the closed position; -
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic top view of the device ofFIG. 1 in the first open position; -
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic top view of the device ofFIG. 1 in the second open position; -
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic top view of a second example embodiment of a slide-and-twist style handheld electronic device in a closed position; -
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic top view of the device ofFIG. 8 in a first open position; -
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic top view of the device ofFIG. 8 in a second open position; -
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an implementation example of a slide-and-twist style handheld electronic device in a closed position; -
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top view of the device ofFIG. 11 in an open position; -
FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic top view of the bottom body of the device ofFIGs. 11 and 12 ; -
FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic exploded view of a second implementation example of a slide-and-twist style handheld electronic device; -
FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third implementation example of a slide-and-twist style handheld electronic device; -
FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic side view of a third example embodiment of a slide-and-twist style handheld electronic device in an open position; and -
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a mobile communication electronic device in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied. - Like reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote like elements and features. Dotted lines in the drawings are used to show hidden features.
- The present disclosure provides a handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism for changing between multiple device positions. A slide-and-twist style form factor allows the device configuration and/or exposed input devices to be changed by the device user. The different device positions may support different operational modes or uses of the device by exposing different input devices.
- In accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a handheld electronic device, comprising: a controller; a first input device connected to the controller; a second input device connected to the controller; a first body having a first face and a second face; a second body having a first face and a second face, the first and second input devices being located on the first face of the second body; the first body being connected to the second body for sliding movement between a closed position and a first open position, wherein in the closed position the first body covers at least a portion of the second body, and wherein in the first open position the first input device is exposed on the first face of the second body; and wherein the second body is rotatable 180 degrees relative to the first body between the first open position and a second open position, wherein in the second open position the second input device is exposed on the first face of the second body while the first input device is substantially covered by the first body.
- In some embodiments, a display screen is provided on the first face of the first body, and the first and second input device are each one of a full keyboard, reduced keyboard, numeric keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad; and wherein the first and second input device are different. In some embodiments, the first input device is a full keyboard, reduced keyboard or numeric keypad, and the second input device is a navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad. In some embodiments, the display screen is a touchscreen providing a further input device.
- In some embodiments, the device further comprises: a third input device connected to the controller; wherein the second body is rotatable relative to the first body between the first open position and a third open position, wherein in the third open position the third input device is exposed on the first face of the second body. In some embodiments, wherein the second body is rotatable in a first direction relative to the first body between the first open position and the second position, and wherein the second body is rotatable relative in a second direction to the first body between the first open position and the third open position. In some embodiments, the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counterclockwise.
- In some embodiments, the first and second bodies are generally cylindrical in shape, the first and second faces of the first and second bodies being generally circular in shape, and the device further comprises: a rotatable outer ring disposed on the one of the first and second bodies, the outer ring being rotatable about a peripheral edge surface thereof and having openings formed therein for selectively exposing one or more interface ports located in the peripheral edge surface.
- In some embodiments, the device further comprises: a further input device on the first face of the first body. In some embodiments, the first and second bodies are generally cylindrical in shape, the first and second faces of the first and second bodies being generally circular in shape, the device further comprising a rotatable outer ring disposed on the one of the first and second bodies, the outer ring having a predetermined position in which at least one of the first, second or further input devices is disabled. In some embodiments, the further input device is disabled when the outer ring is moved into the predetermined position.
- In some embodiments, the first body has a convex sliding surface on which the second face of the first body is located, and the second body has a correspondingly shaped concave sliding surface on which the first face of the second body is located, wherein the first body is connected to the second body for sliding movement between the closed position and the first open position along the convex and concave sliding surfaces. In some embodiments, the first face of the first body lies in a first plane in the closed position, the first face of the first body lying in a second plane in the first open position, the second plane being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first plane. In some embodiments, the first face of the first body remains in the second plane when the device is in the second open position.
- Referring now to the drawings,
FIGs. 1 to 7 illustrate a handheldelectronic device 10 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Thedevice 10 includes two body parts that are movable relative to each other between a closed (or neutral) position, a first open position and a second open position. These device positions may be associated with different operational modes of thedevice 10, such as a first, second and third mode of operation respectively. - The
device 10 is a slide-and-twist-style device having a first (or top)body 12 and a second (or bottom)body 14. It will be understood that while the first body is referred to as thetop body 12 and that the second body is referred to asbottom body 14, these references are used only for convenience based on a normal position in which thedevice 10 is held. The references to thetop body 12 andbottom body 14 are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, it will be understood thatdevice 10 is shown schematically in the drawings for the purpose of illustration and that the thickness and size of the respective body parts may vary from that shown in the drawings and between different embodiments. - The
top body 12 andbottom body 14 each comprise a rigid case housing device components. Thetop body 12 typically houses aspeaker 36 and adisplay screen 38 while thebottom body 14 typically houses two or more input devices, amicrophone 39 and the majority of the electronic circuitry for thedevice 10. However, it will be understood that the components housed within or carried by each of thebodies - The
device 10 may also be provided with one or more interface ports 43 (FIG. 4 ) such as input/output ports (e.g., jacks, ports or card slots). The location of theinterface ports 43 typically depends on the respective type of interface. For example, a headset jack and USB port are typically located in aperipheral edge surface top body 12 orbottom body 14, respectively, as is known in the art, although the actual location of theinterface ports 43 may vary between devices and interface types. - The
top body 12 has first and second faces 16 and 18 respectively, with theperipheral edge surface 20 interconnecting the first and second faces 16, 18. Similarly, thebottom body 14 has first and second faces 22 and 24 respectively, with theperipheral edge surface 26 interconnecting the first and second faces 22, 24. In the shown embodiment, thefirst face 16 of thetop body 12 and thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14 are front faces, and thesecond face 18 of thetop body 12 and thesecond face 24 of thebottom body 14 are back faces. - In the shown embodiment, a
first input device 40 and asecond input device 42 are provided on thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14. In the shown embodiment, thespeaker 36 is provided on thefirst face 16 of thetop body 12 and themicrophone 39 is provided on thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14. When thedevice 10 is not a communication device, one or both of thespeaker 36 ormicrophone 39 may be omitted. - The
first face 16 of thetop body 12 could be provided with an input device in some embodiments. The input device could be a touchscreen formed using thedisplay screen 38 thereby providing the device user with an additional user interface when thedevice 10 is in the closed position. As will be appreciated to persons skilled in the art, a touchscreen display comprises a display screen, which could be thedisplay screen 38, with a touch-sensitive input surface or overlay connected to an electronic controller. Alternatively, an input device such as a keypad could be provided in thefirst face 16 of thetop body 12 when thedisplay screen 38 is a touchscreen. - The top and
bottom bodies bottom bodies device 10 to be extended by moving thedevice 10 from the closed position to the first open position, or contracted by moving thedevice 10 from the first open position to the closed position. The sliding movement is typically linear movement as represented by thearrow 28 inFIG. 6 and 7 . However, the teachings of the present disclosure could be applied to non-linear sliding mechanisms and multi-direction sliding mechanisms. For example, the sliding movement could be caused by transformation or movement along a non-linear channel or track. The non-linear track could comprise a series of linear tracks of different orientations (e.g. up, left, up) to define a non-linear path of movement from one end of the track to the other. - The
bottom body 14 has first and second faces 22, 24 interconnected byperipheral edge surface 26. Thebottom body 14 also has ageometric centre 34. Thetop body 12 also has ageometric centre 32. In the closed position, the respectivegeometric centres top body 12 andbottom body 14 are substantially aligned. In the shown embodiment, no input device is exposed in the closed position. In the first open position, thefirst input device 40 is exposed on thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14. - In other embodiments, an input device may be provided and exposed in the closed position. The input device could be a touchscreen which takes the place of the
display screen 38 or a supplemental keypad or keyboard below thedisplay screen 38. Themicrophone 39, an audio input device, could also be provided on the first face 16 (e.g. front face) of thetop body 14. - The top and
bottom bodies bottom body 14 relative to thetop body 12 between the first open position and the second open position and vice versa. In the second open position, thesecond input device 42 is exposed on thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14. Alternatively, the top andbottom bodies top body 12 relative thebottom body 14. The rotational movement is represented by thearrow 30 inFIG. 6 . In some embodiments, thesecond body 14 is rotatable relative to thefirst body 12 between the first open position and a second open position in a substantially 180 degree range. In other embodiments, such as that shown inFIG. 13 , thebottom body 14 could be rotated 360 degrees relative to thetop body 12, or vice versa. Each of the first and second open positions exposes a different area of thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14. The rotational or twisting movement changes the exposed area of thefirst face 22 to expose a different user interface. - In the embodiment shown in
FIGs. 1 to 7 , thedevice 10 has a pivot point which is located at or near the centre of the top andbottom bodies geometric centres top body 12 andbottom body 14 respectively. However, in other embodiments thedevice 10 could have a pivot point which is off-centre. For example, the pivot point could be offset to the left or right of thegeometric centres top body 12 andbottom body 14 respectively. - When the
device 10 is in the closed position, thetop body 12 covers substantially all of thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments some of thefirst face 22 may remain exposed when thedevice 10 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, in the closed position thefirst input device 40 andsecond input device 42 may be substantially covered by thetop body 12. In some embodiments, in the first open position thefirst input device 40 is exposed while thesecond input device 42 is substantially covered by thetop body 12. In some embodiments, in the second open position thesecond input device 42 is exposed while thefirst input device 40 is substantially covered by thetop body 12. - The first and
second input device first face 22 of thebottom body 14 in the shown embodiment. The first andsecond input device device 10 and extend through openings in the rigid casing of thebottom body 14. In at least some embodiments, thefirst input device 40 is mounted so as to be rotated 180 degrees relative to thesecond input device 42. That is, thefirst input device 40 has a working orientation which is rotated 180 degrees with respect to a working orientation of thesecond input device 42. - The first and
second input device second input devices first input device 40 could be a full keyboard (which could be configured in a familiar QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY or Dvorak layout as is known in the art), a reduced keyboard such as that described inU.S. Patent No. 7,224,292, issued May 29, 2007 , or a numeric or telephone keypad such as a keypad layout based on the ITU standard (ITU E.161), whereas thesecond input device 42 could be a touchpad, a touchscreen, a navigation pad, an Internet browser keypad, a gaming keypad, a media playback keypad, a camera keypad, or other suitable input device. - In other embodiments, the
display screen 38 is a touchscreen providing a further input device, thefirst input device 40 is a full keyboard, reduced keyboard or numeric keypad, and thesecond input device 42 is a navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad. - When the
device 10 is opened from the closed position to the first open position, thebottom body 14 slides linearly downwardly with respect to thetop body 12 by means of a sliding mechanism (not shown). Many sliding mechanisms for handheld electronic devices are known to persons skilled in the art and will not be described in detail herein. Any suitable sliding mechanism may be used. - In one embodiment, the sliding mechanism could comprise a linear channel or track defined in the
second face 18 of thetop body 12 and a pin extending from thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14 and received in the track (not shown). The pin extends from a central portion of thebottom body 14. The sliding mechanism and the portion in which the pin is located typically remain substantially hidden or covered between the first andsecond bodies arrow 28. Thegeometric centres top body 12 andbottom body 14 are substantially aligned with the track. The diameter of the pin and the width of the track are mutually sized for smooth travel during movement of the pin along the track. The end of the pin includes a head or engaging member received within the first body interior to thesecond face 18 of thetop body 12. The head of the pin acts as a cam during travel of the pin during linear sliding movement. This configuration allows thedevice 10 to slide open and closed regardless of the input device (e.g., thefirst input device 40 or second input device 42) which is exposed for the user to work with. - The sliding movement proceeds in the direction of the
arrow 28 such that thegeometric centre 34 of thebottom body 14 is displaced linearly downwardly with respect to thegeometric centre 32 of thetop body 12. As a result of the linear sliding movement, a portion (identified as D1 inFIG. 6 ) of the previously coveredfirst face 22 of thebottom body 14 is exposed thereby allowing the user to access one or more input devices, such as a keypad or keyboard, that was previously hidden or inaccessible, while a portion of thefirst face 22 remains hidden or covered. - Once the
device 10 is in the first open position, thebottom body 14 can be rotated 180 degrees about itsgeometric centre 34 with respect to thetop body 12 to the second open position. In embodiments in which a pin and track are used for the sliding mechanism, the pin provides a pivot point for rotation. In some embodiments, thedevice 10 could be rotated without being in a fully open position such as the first open position. It is possible that thedevice 10 could be rotated within the closed position in some embodiments. In other embodiments, rotation of thedevice 10 may be limited to when it is in a fully open position such as the first open position or second open position. - When the
device 10 is in the second open position, a portion (identified as D2 inFIG. 7 ) of thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14 that remained hidden or inaccessible in the first open position becomes exposed allowing the user to access one or more additional and possibly different input devices (such as a different keypad or keyboard, or navigation controls) that were previously hidden or covered. The input devices that were available to the user in the first open position become hidden or covered in the second open position. It will be appreciated that when thebottom body 14 rotates or pivots about itsgeometric centre 34, the portion D1 of thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14 that is exposed in the first open position (FIG. 6 ) is equal to the portion D2 of thefirst face 22 that becomes exposed in the second open position (FIG. 7 ). It will be appreciated that there are typically portions of the top andbottom bodies - It is also possible that a second closed position may be provided in some embodiments (not shown). In such embodiments, the
device 10 may be closed from the second open position by sliding movement from the second open position to the second closed position. In the second closed position, thefirst body 12 would cover at least a portion of thesecond body 14, typically substantially all of thefirst body 12. The second closed position would appear very similar to the closed position shown inFIG. 1 with the exception that thesecond body 14 would be rotated 180 degrees relative to what is shown inFIG. 1 . As a result, the location of the interface ports 43 (e.g., jacks, ports or card slots) would be different in the second closed position than in the closed position ofFIG. 1 . - In the shown embodiment of
FIGs. 1 to 7 , thedevice 10 does not expose or provide an input device in the closed position. However, as noted above an input device may be exposed in the closed position in other embodiments. When thedevice 10 is in the first open position, thefirst input device 40 is exposed and accessible to the device user while thesecond input device 42 is hidden or covered. When thedevice 10 is in the second open position, thesecond input device 42 is exposed and accessible to the device user while thefirst input device 40 is hidden or covered. - As noted above, the closed position (
FIG. 1 ) may be associated with a first mode of operation of thedevice 10, the first open position (FIG. 2 ) may be associated with a second mode of operation of thedevice 10, and the second open position (FIG. 4 ) may be associated with a third mode of operation of thedevice 10. In some embodiments, a controller of thedevice 10 is configured to detect changes in device position and automatically change between the first, second and third operational modes of the device in accordance with the device position following a detected change in the device position. The process of changing the operational mode may comprise change the active application on thedevice 10 and/or changing the active input device(s) and possibly the active output devices. - For the purpose of illustration, in some embodiments the closed position may be associated with a view/visual only mode, audio only mode or audio-visual mode, depending which of the
speaker 36 or non-touchscreen-baseddisplay screen 38 are provided. No input device is exposed when thedevice 10 is in the closed position (FIG. 1 ) so the use of thedevice 10 is limited to viewing visual content reproduced on thedisplay screen 38 and/or listening to audio content reproduced via thespeaker 36. The first open position may be associated with a communication mode (e.g., telephone or email mode) by exposing a numeric, full keyboard and/or reduced keyboard as thefirst input device 40. The second open position may be associated with a gaming mode by providing and exposing a gaming keypad as thesecond input device 42. - Referring now to
FIGs. 8-10 , a handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In this embodiment, thedevice 10 transitions from the closed position to the first open position by means of a sliding mechanism which allows thebottom body 14 to be displaced linearly downwardly with respect to thetop body 12 as in the first embodiment. The sliding movement is typically linear movement as represented by thearrow 29 inFIG. 9 and 10 . By this movement, a portion (identified as D1 inFIG. 9 ) of thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14 becomes exposed and thefirst input device 40 becomes accessible to the user. However, in this embodiment thebottom body 14 rotates or pivots about apoint 48 offset from thegeometric centre 34 of thebottom body 14. Therefore, the portion of thefirst face 22 of thebottom body 14 that becomes exposed as thedevice 10 transitions from the first open position to the second open position (identified as D2 inFIG. 10 ) is not the same size as the portion D1 of thefirst face 22 that is exposed in the first position. In the shown embodiment, the exposed portion D2 is smaller than the exposed portion D1. It will be appreciated that the slidingmovement 29 required to expose the smaller exposed position D2 is shorter than the slidingmovement 29 required to expose the larger exposed position D1 in the shown embodiment. Depending upon the particular application or mode of operation of the device, it may be desirable to have exposed areas of different size, for example for different size input devices. - Referring now to
FIGs. 11-13 , a handheldelectronic device 100 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with an implementation example of the present disclosure will be described. The handheldelectronic device 100 has a generally circular or cylindrical slide-and-twist-style form factor. Thedevice 100 includes two main body parts that are movable relative to each other between a closed position and at least a first open position and second open position. - The
device 100 has a slide-and-twist-style device having a first (or top)body 112 and a second (or bottom)body 114. It will be understood that while the first body is referred to as thetop body 112 and that the second body is referred to as thebottom body 114, these references are used only for convenience based on a normal position in which thedevice 10 is held. The references to thetop body 112 andbottom body 114 are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, it will be understood thatdevice 100 is shown schematically in the drawings for the purpose of illustration and that the thickness and size of the respective body parts may vary from that shown in the drawings and between different examples. - The
top body 112 has first andsecond faces peripheral edge surface 120 interconnecting the first andsecond faces bottom body 114 has first andsecond faces peripheral edge surface 126 interconnecting the first andsecond faces second faces second bodies - The top and
bottom bodies bottom bodies device 100 to be extended by moving thedevice 100 from the closed position to first open position, or contracted by moving thedevice 100 from the first open position to the closed position. The sliding movement is typically linear movement as represented by thearrow 128 inFIG. 12 . - As shown in the
FIG. 13 , thebottom body 114 has afirst input device 140,second input device 142 andthird input device 144 located in thefirst face 122. The first, second andthird input devices device 100. A microphone (not shown) could also be provided in thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 when thedevice 100 is a communication device. Thetop body 112 has aspeaker 136 and adisplay screen 138 located in thefirst face 116. - In the shown example, the
first input device 140,second input device 142 andthird input device 144 occupy substantially equally sized portions of thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114. In particular, in the shown example substantially all of thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 is allocated to the input devices and is separated into three equal portions with thefirst input device 140,second input device 142 andthird input device 144 occupying one of these portions. In other examples, thefirst input device 140,second input device 142 andthird input device 144 may occupy less than substantially all of thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114, may be different sizes, or both. - The
top body 112 andbottom body 114 are also connected for rotational movement of thebottom body 114 relative to thetop body 112 between the first open position and a second open position. In the first open position, a portion of the previously coveredfirst face 122 of the bottom body 114 (identified as D1 inFIG. 12 ) having thefirst input device 140 is exposed on thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114. In the second open position, a portion of the previously coveredfirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 having thesecond input device 142 is exposed on thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114. Thebottom body 114 is also rotatable relative to thetop body 112 between the first open position and a third open position. In the third open position, a portion of the previously coveredfirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 having thethird input device 144 is exposed on thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114. In at least some examples, in the third open position thethird input device 144 is exposed while thefirst input device 140 andsecond input device 142 are substantially covered by thefirst body 112. - The rotational movement of the
device 100 is represented by arrow 130 (FIG. 12 ) and allows the exposed portion of thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 to be changed to show a respective one of thefirst input device 140,second input device 142 orthird input device 144, depending upon the position of thebottom body 114. - In at least some implementation examples, the
bottom body 114 is rotatable in a first direction relative to thetop body 112 between the first open position and the second position, and thebottom body 114 is rotatable relative in a second direction to thetop body 112 between the first open position and the third open position. In some examples, the first direction is clockwise and the second direction is counterclockwise. - The
top body 112 has ageometric centre 132 and thebottom body 114 has ageometric centre 134. When thedevice 100 is in the closed position, thetop body 112 covers substantially all of thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114. In this position, the respectivegeometric centres bottom bodies device 100 is opened to the first open position (seeFIG. 12 ), thebottom body 114 slides linearly downwardly with respect to thetop body 112 in the direction ofarrow 128 such that thegeometric centre 134 of thebottom body 114 is displaced linearly downwardly with respect to thegeometric centre 132 of thetop body 112, thereby exposing a portion of the previously coveredfirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 and allowing the user to access thefirst input device 140 that was previously hidden or inaccessible, while a portion of thefirst face 122 remains hidden or covered. - Once the
device 100 is in the first open position, thebottom body 114 can be rotated about itsgeometric centre 134 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction into the second open position or third open position. When thedevice 100 is rotated from the first open position into the second open position, a portion of thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 becomes exposed, thereby allowing access to thesecond input device 142 that was previously hidden or inaccessible in the first open position, while a portion of thefirst face 122 remains hidden or covered. - When the
device 100 is rotated from the first open position into the third open position, a portion of thefirst face 122 of thebottom body 114 becomes exposed thereby allowing access to thethird input device 144 that was previously hidden or inaccessible in the first open position, while a portion of thefirst face 122 remains hidden or covered. - In other implementation examples, rather than being rotated from the first open position to either the second open position or third open position depending on the direction of rotation, the
bottom body 114 is rotatable relative to thetop body 112 between the first open position and the second open position. Further rotation moves thedevice 100 from the second open position to the third open position. The direction of rotation could be either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on the example. The reversing the direction allows thedevice 100 to be moved from the third open position to the second open position, and from the second open position to the first open position. In at least some examples, thedevice 100 can be rotated freely in 360 degrees. As with thedevice 10 described above inFIG. 1 to 10 , in some examples thedevice 100 could be rotated without being in a fully open position such as the first open position. It is possible that thedevice 100 could be rotated within the closed position in some embodiments. In other examples, rotation of thedevice 10 may be limited to when it is in a fully open position such as the first open position, second open position or third open position. - The first, second and
third input devices third input devices - The
display screen 138 could be a touchscreen in some examples thereby providing a further input device. In addition, or instead of a touchscreen, thetop body 112 could have afurther input device 146 located in thefirst face 116 as shown inFIGs. 11 to 13 . In the shown implementation example, thefurther input device 146 is located below thedisplay screen 138. The touchscreen and/orfurther input device 146 provide input device(s) when thedevice 100 is in the closed position, and provides a further input device in the first, second and/or third open positions. The provision of thefurther input device 136 such as an additional keypad on thefirst face 116 of thetop body 112 allows for further customization of thedevice 100 so as to best suit the user interfaces to the specific applications of thedevice 100. - In some implementation examples, the
first input device 140,second input device 142 andthird input device 144 each comprise a keypad, wherein the keypad of thefirst input device 140,second input device 142 andthird input device 144 are each different. In other examples, thefirst input device 140 is a full keyboard, thesecond input device 142 is a touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad, and thethird input device 144 is a reduced keyboard or numeric keypad. - While not shown, any of the embodiments described in the present disclosure may be provided with arresting or resisting features which cause the device to lock or click into place when moved into one of the defined device positions (e.g., closed position, first open position, second open position, etc.). The arresting or resisting features may be detents provided by the first and second bodies of the devices. The detents are locating features which stop the device when moved into one of the defined device position and holds the device in that device position until a releasing force is applied to move it out of the current device position. The detents may also notify the user that the device has been transformed into a new form factor by providing tactile and/or audible feedback. The operation and construction of detents for electronic devices is known in the art and will only be described briefly herein.
- The detents may be provided by a catch formed in the first body or second body and a complimentary shaped notch formed in the other of the first body or second body. The catch and notch are located such that, when the device is moved into one of the defined device positions, the catch in the one body grabs the notch in the other body and holds the notch via a friction force fit. A releasing force of predetermined magnitude or more is required to dislodge or remove the catch from the notch. This holds the device in the defined device position and reduces accidental changes in form factor which may otherwise occur during normal use as a result of the normal application of force when interacting with the device. The grabbing of the notch may also provide "click" feedback notifying the device user that the device has been transformed into a new form factor. The feedback may be tactile feedback from vibration caused by the catch grabbing the notch, auditory feedback from an audible sound caused by the catch grabbing the notch, or both.
- In other implementation examples, more or less than three input devices could be provided on the
bottom body 114 of the circular slide-and-twist-style device 100. -
FIG. 14 illustrates a handheldelectronic device 100 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a second implementation example of the present disclosure. Thedevice 100 is a circular slide-and-twist-style device 100 similar to that described above in connection withFIG. 11 to 13 . Thedevice 100 includes a circular external (or outer)ring 150 is mounted on thetop body 112 which is slidable on or rotatable about theperipheral edge surface 120 of thetop body 112. While theouter ring 150 has been described in connection with thetop body 112, it will be understood that this feature could also be applied to thebottom body 114 in addition to, or instead of, thetop body 112. - In some examples,
openings 152 are provided in the circularouter ring 150. Depending upon the position of theouter ring 150 relative to theperipheral edge surface 120 of thetop body 112, specific areas of theperipheral edge surface 120 are exposed and accessible to the device user. Accordingly, when thetop body 112 is provided with one ormore interface ports 143 such as input/output ports (e.g., jacks, ports or card slots) on theperipheral edge surface 120, theouter ring 150 acts as a cover which can be rotated about thetop body 112 to selectively expose or hide theinterface ports 143 by aligning therespective openings 152 with the desiredinterface 143. - In some examples, the
outer ring 150 could be rotated and optionally clicked by detent into a predetermined position in which one or more of the input devices of thedevice 100 are electronically disconnected or disabled. The one or more input devices are electronically disabled in that no input is generated even though the input device may still be physically actuated (e.g., when the input device is a keypad the keys can still be pressed but no input signal is generated). This allows thedevice 100 to be carried in a pocket or purse without holstering it and without generating inputs in response to accidental key presses. In this way, theouter ring 150 provides an input device lockout (such as a keypad lockout) to prevent inputs from being generated in response to accidental key presses. The lockout feature may be provided in addition to or instead of theopenings 152 in thering 150, depending on the example. - In some implementation examples, the lockout feature electronically disables at least the further input device(s) on the
first face 116 of thetop body 112 such as thekeypad 146 when the outer ring is moved into the predetermined position. However, any one or more of theinput devices keypad 146 on thefirst face 116 of thetop body 112, depending on the example. For example, if thedevice 100 is in an open position and one of theinput devices ring 150 is rotated, the exposed input device may be locked in addition to, or instead of, thekeypad 146 on thefirst face 116 of thetop body 112. In one example, thekeypad 146 is a media player keypad which is disabled when thering 150 is moved into the predetermined position. - In some implementation examples, the predetermined position corresponds to the location of a switch (or actuator) which is activated when the
outer ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position. The switch then generates an input which disconnects or disables the affected input device(s) in response to activation. The switch could be implemented by a latch belonging to a detent in theouter ring 150 which depresses or otherwise actuates a switch or button which are aligned when theouter ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position, the alignment of a pair of contacts when theouter ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position, or the detection of a magnet in theouter ring 150 by a hall effect sensor/switch in thetop body 112 when theouter ring 150 is moved into the predetermined position. -
FIG. 15 illustrates a handheldelectronic device 100 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a third implementation example of the present disclosure. Thedevice 100 is a circular slide-and-twist-style device 100 similar to that described above in connection with the third embodiment ofFIG. 11 to 13 and fourth embodiment ofFIG. 14 . Thedevice 100 is provided with a chain orstrap 156 which is secured to an opening defined in the rigid case of thetop body 112 orbottom body 114, or an eyelet attached to thetop body 112 orbottom body 114. Thestrap 156 allows thedevice 100 to be worn around the neck of the device user. It will be understood that a strap could be incorporated into any of the embodiments described in the present disclosure. - Referring now to
FIG. 16 , a handheldelectronic device 200 having a slide-and-twist style form factor in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In this embodiment, thedevice 200 is in the form of a slide-and-twist-style device as described above in connection withFIGs. 1-8 . However, in this example embodiment, the sliding movement occurs along an arc rather than along a linear path. In some implementation examples, thedevice 200 could also be adapted for a generally circular slide-and-twist-style device as described above in connection withFIGs. 11-15 . - The
device 200 of the present embodiment has a first (or top)body 212 and a second (or bottom)body 214. Thetop body 212 has first andsecond faces peripheral edge surface 220 interconnecting the first andsecond faces bottom body 214 has first andsecond faces peripheral edge surface 226 interconnecting the first andsecond faces first face 216 of thetop body 212 and thefirst face 222 of thebottom body 214 are front faces, and thesecond face 218 of thetop body 212 and thesecond face 224 of thebottom body 214 are back faces. - The top and
bottom bodies bottom bodies device 200 to be extended by moving thedevice 200 from the closed position to first open position, or contracted by moving thedevice 200 from the first open position to the closed position. When thedevice 200 is in the closed position, thetop body 212 covers substantially all of thefirst face 222 of thebottom body 214. When thedevice 200 is in the first open position, afirst input device 240 is exposed on thefirst face 222 of thebottom body 214. - The
top body 212 has a convex slidingsurface 255 on which thesecond face 218 of thefirst body 212 is located, and thebottom body 214 has a correspondingly shaped concave slidingsurface 257 on which thefirst face 222 of thebottom body 214 is located. Thetop body 212 is connected to thebottom body 214 for sliding movement between the closed position and the first open position along the convex and concave slidingsurfaces bottom bodies bottom bodies concave surfaces bottom bodies bottom body 214 relative to thetop body 212 between the first open position and the second open position and vice versa. When thedevice 200 is in the second open position, asecond input device 242 is exposed on thefirst face 222 of thebottom body 214. - When the
device 200 is in the closed position, adisplay screen 238 provided on thefirst face 216 of thetop body 212 lies in a first plane generally parallel to the bottom of the device 200 (thesecond face 224 of thebottom body 214 inFIG. 16 ). When thedevice 200 is moved from the closed position to the first open position, thedisplay screen 238 lies in a second plane positioned at an acute angle with respect to the first plane. In this position, thedisplay screen 238 is directed towards the device user. When thedevice 200 is moved from the first open position to the second open position, the angled position of thedisplay screen 238 is maintained. The angled position of thedisplay screen 238 facilitates viewing of thescreen 238 when thedevice 200 is in first and second open positions, and possibly third open positions. - Reference is now made to
FIG. 17 which illustrates the electronic components of amobile communication device 301 to which the slide-and-twist style form factor described in the present disclosure can be applied. Typically, themobile communication device 301 is a two-way communication device having data and/or voice communication capabilities, and the capability to communicate with other computer systems, for example, via the Internet. Depending on the functionality provided by themobile communication device 301, the device may be a multiple-mode communication device configured for both data and voice communication, a smartphone, a mobile telephone or a PDA (personal digital assistant) enabled for wireless communication, or a computer system with a wireless modem. - The
mobile communication device 301 includes a controller comprising at least one processor 310 (such as a microprocessor) which controls the overall operation of thedevice 301. Theprocessor 310 interacts with device subsystems such as awireless communication subsystem 312 for exchanging radio frequency signals with a wireless network (not shown) to perform communication functions. As will be apparent to those skilled in the field of communication, the particular design of thewireless communication subsystem 312 depends on the wireless network in which themobile communication device 301 is intended to operate. - The
processor 310 interacts with additional device subsystems including a display (or display screen) 314 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen,input devices 316 comprising any combination of two or more of a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad, camera keypad or other suitable input device (including, possibly, two or more of the same type of input device),flash memory 318, random access memory (RAM) 320, read only memory (ROM) 322, auxiliary input/output (I/O)subsystems 324,data port 326 such as a serial data port,speaker 328,microphone 330, short-range communication subsystem 332, and other device subsystems generally designated as 334. - The
processor 310 operates under stored program control and executessoftware modules 340 stored in memory such as persistent memory, for example, in theflash memory 318. As illustrated inFIG. 17 , thesoftware modules 340 compriseoperating system software 342 andsoftware applications 344. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that thesoftware modules 340 or parts thereof may be temporarily loaded into volatile memory such as theRAM 320. TheRAM 320 is used for storing runtime data variables and other types of data or information, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Although specific functions are described for various types of memory, this is merely one example, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that a different assignment of functions to types of memory could also be used. - In some embodiments, the
mobile communication device 301 also includes a removable memory card or memory module 346 (typically comprising flash memory) and amemory card interface 348. Thememory card 346 is inserted in or connected to thememory card interface 348 of themobile communication device 301 in order to operate in conjunction with the wireless network. - The
mobile communication device 301stores data 345 in an erasable persistent memory, which in one example embodiment is theflash memory 318. In various embodiments, thedata 345 includes service data comprising information required by themobile communication device 301 to establish and maintain communication with the wireless network. Thedata 345 may also include user application data such as email messages, address book and contact information, calendar and schedule information, notepad documents, image files, and other commonly stored user information stored on themobile communication device 301 by its user, and other data. Thedata 345 stored in the persistent memory (e.g. flash memory 318) of themobile communication device 301 may be organized, at least partially, into a number of databases each containing data items of the same data type or associated with the same application. For example, email messages, contact records, and task items may be stored in individual databases within the device memory. - The
mobile communication device 301 also includes abattery 350 as a power source, which is typically one or more rechargeable batteries that may be charged, for example, through charging circuitry coupled to a battery interface such as theserial data port 326. Thebattery 350 provides electrical power to at least some of the electrical circuitry in themobile communication device 301 and thebattery interface 352 provides a mechanical and electrical connection for thebattery 350. Thebattery interface 352 is coupled to a regulator (not shown) which provides power V+ to the circuitry of themobile communication device 301. - The short-range communication subsystem 332 provides for communication between the
mobile communication device 301 and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the subsystem 332 may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a wireless bus protocol compliant communication mechanism such as a Bluetooth® communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices. - A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, including data and possibly voice communication applications will normally be installed on the
mobile communication device 301 during or after manufacture. Additional applications and/or upgrades to theoperating system 342 orsoftware applications 344 may also be loaded onto themobile communication device 301 through the wireless network, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 324, theserial port 326, the short-range communication subsystem 332, or othersuitable subsystem 334. The downloaded programs or code modules may be permanently installed, for example, written into the program memory (i.e. the flash memory 318), or written into and executed from theRAM 320 for execution by theprocessor 310 at runtime. Such flexibility in application installation increases the functionality of themobile communication device 301 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, secure communication applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using themobile communication device 301. - The
mobile communication device 301 may provide two principal modes of communication: a data communication mode and/or a voice communication mode, although additional modes of operation for themobile communication device 301 are contemplated. In the data communication mode, a received data signal such as a text message, an email message, or Web page download will be processed by thecommunication subsystem 312 and input to theprocessor 310 for further processing. For example, a downloaded Web page may be further processed by a browser application or an email message may be processed by an email message messaging application and output to thedisplay 314. A user of themobile communication device 301 may also compose data items, such as email messages, for example, using the input devices in conjunction with thedisplay 314. These composed items may be transmitted through thecommunication subsystem 312 over the wireless network. - In the voice communication mode, the
mobile communication device 301 provides telephony functions and operates as a typical cellular phone. The overall operation is similar, except that the received signals would be output to thespeaker 328 and signals for transmission would be generated by a transducer such as themicrophone 330. The telephony functions are provided by a combination of software/firmware (i.e., the voice communication module) and hardware (i.e., themicrophone 330, thespeaker 328 and input devices). Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on themobile communication device 301. Although voice or audio signal output is typically accomplished primarily through thespeaker 328, thedisplay screen 314 may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information. - The various embodiments presented above are merely examples and are in no way meant to limit the scope of this disclosure. Variations of the innovations described herein will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, such variations being within the intended scope of the present application. In particular, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternative embodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternative embodiments comprised of a combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.
Claims (15)
- A handheld electronic device (10), comprising:a controller (310);a first input device (40) connected to the controller (310);a second input device (42) connected to the controller (310);a first body (12) having a first face (16) and a second face (18);a second body (14) having a first face (22) and a second face (24), the first and second input devices (40; 42) being located on the first face (22) of the second body (14);the first body (12) being connected to the second body (14) for sliding movement between a closed position and a first open position, wherein in the closed position the first body (12) covers at least a portion of the second body (14), and wherein in the first open position the first input device (40) is exposed on the first face (22) of the second body (14);wherein the second body (14) is rotatable 180 degrees relative to the first body (12) between the first open position and a second open position, wherein in the second open position the second input device (42) is exposed on the first face (22) of the second body (14) while the first input device (40) is substantially covered by the first body (12).
- The device of claim 1, wherein in the closed position the first input device (40) and second input device (42) are substantially covered by the first body (12).
- The device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in the first open position the first input device (40) is exposed while the second input device (42) is substantially covered by the first body (12).
- The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the closed position is associated with a first mode of operation, the first open position is associated with a second mode of operation, and the second open position is associated with a third mode of operation; and
wherein the controller is configured to detect changes in device position and automatically change the operational mode of the device (10) in accordance with the device position following a detected change in device position. - The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first input device (40) and second input device (42) are located on the first face (22) of the second body (14) at opposite ends thereof, wherein the first input device (40) has a working orientation rotated 180 degrees with respect to a working orientation of the second input device (42).
- The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second body rotates (14) about its geometric centre, and wherein the first input device (40) is substantially equal in size to the second input device (42).
- The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second body rotates (14) about a pivot axis (48) linearly offset from a geometric centre (34) of the second body (14), and wherein one of the first and second input devices (40, 42) is smaller in size than the other of the first and second input devices.
- The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first body (12) has a convex sliding surface on which the second face (18) of the first body (12) is located, and the second body (14) has a correspondingly shaped concave sliding surface on which the first face (22) of the second body (14) is located, wherein the first body (12) is connected to the second body (14) for sliding movement between the closed position and the first open position along the convex and concave sliding surfaces.
- The device of claim 8, wherein the first face (16) of the first body (12) lies in a first plane in the closed position, the first face (16) of the first body (12) lying in a second plane in the first open position, the second plane being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the first plane.
- The device of claim 9, wherein the first face (16) of the first body (12) remains in the second plane when the device (10) is in the second open position.
- The device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a display screen (38) is provided on the first face (16) of the first body (12), and the first and second input device (40; 42) are each one of a full keyboard, reduced keyboard, numeric keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad; and wherein the first and second input device (40; 42) are different.
- The device of claim 11, wherein the first input device (40) is a full keyboard, reduced keyboard or numeric keypad, and the second input device (42) is a navigation pad, Internet browser keypad, gaming keypad, media playback keypad or camera keypad.
- The device of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the display screen (38) is a touchscreen.
- The device of any one of claims 1 to 13, the first body (12) is connected to the second body (14) for sliding movement between the second open position and a second closed position.
- The device of claim 14, wherein in the second closed position the first input device (40) and second input device (42) are substantially covered by the first body (12).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09172849.3A EP2312811B1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2009-10-13 | A handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism |
CA2717400A CA2717400C (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2010-10-12 | A handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09172849.3A EP2312811B1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2009-10-13 | A handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2312811A1 EP2312811A1 (en) | 2011-04-20 |
EP2312811B1 true EP2312811B1 (en) | 2015-02-18 |
Family
ID=41527797
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09172849.3A Active EP2312811B1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2009-10-13 | A handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2312811B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2717400C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113633966B (en) * | 2021-08-24 | 2024-04-09 | 维沃移动通信有限公司 | Operating handle and electronic equipment assembly |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003298694A (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2003-10-17 | Casio Comput Co Ltd | Portable electronic device |
KR100631676B1 (en) | 2004-02-07 | 2006-10-09 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Screen Rotator for Handheld Terminal |
GB2417851B (en) | 2004-09-03 | 2006-08-16 | Gsl Res Technology Ltd | Information apparatus |
JP4852403B2 (en) * | 2006-12-04 | 2012-01-11 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Portable device |
KR100842516B1 (en) | 2007-01-09 | 2008-07-01 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Mobile phone |
US8947870B2 (en) | 2008-03-17 | 2015-02-03 | Cby Holdings, Llc | Sliding and rotating apparatus and device having same |
-
2009
- 2009-10-13 EP EP09172849.3A patent/EP2312811B1/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-10-12 CA CA2717400A patent/CA2717400C/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2717400A1 (en) | 2011-04-13 |
CA2717400C (en) | 2017-07-25 |
EP2312811A1 (en) | 2011-04-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1467539B1 (en) | Mobile terminal with adaptive function of a multi-directional input device | |
US7400908B2 (en) | Mobile communication terminal | |
EP1720326B1 (en) | Portable terminal with two bodies being both foldable and slidable relative to each other | |
EP2387208B1 (en) | Handheld electronic communication device | |
US20070287512A1 (en) | Layered mobile device | |
FI118621B (en) | Portable, foldable electronic device with open and closed operating position and handle arrangement | |
EP1594290B1 (en) | Two-way folder-type terminal | |
US8400761B2 (en) | Portable terminal | |
EP2120126A2 (en) | Portable apparatus | |
JP2008533887A (en) | Hinge-based portable wireless communication device with double action hinge | |
KR20060122932A (en) | Portable communication device | |
US8332000B2 (en) | Handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism | |
WO2007001516A1 (en) | Portable device with text-entry keyboard | |
JP4537930B2 (en) | Horizontal rotation mechanism for portable devices | |
US8275425B2 (en) | Portable terminal for multimedia | |
EP2312811B1 (en) | A handheld electronic device having a slide-and-twist mechanism | |
EP1847099B1 (en) | Hand portable electronic device having a plurality of modes of operation | |
EP1887762A2 (en) | Portable terminal having game function | |
EP2495942B1 (en) | Slidable and rotatable portable electronic device for aligning the surfaces of the keypad and display portions | |
EP1766752B1 (en) | Integrated cellular phone, digital camera, and pda, with swivel mechanism providing access to the interface elements of each function | |
EP2495943B1 (en) | Slidable and rotatable portable electronic device for aligning the surfaces of the keypad and display portions | |
KR20070028774A (en) | Portable terminal with wheel button | |
EP2498480B1 (en) | Clamshell portable electronic device with input device in hinge | |
KR100718893B1 (en) | Personal portable device and method of controlling the personal portable device | |
JPH04150643A (en) | Portable telephone set |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20091013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA RS |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: BLACKBERRY LIMITED |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: BLACKBERRY LIMITED |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20140904 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 711063 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20150315 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602009029403 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20150402 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 711063 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20150218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150518 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150519 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150618 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 7 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602009029403 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20151119 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20151013 Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20151031 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20151031 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20151013 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20091013 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150218 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20231026 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20231027 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20231025 Year of fee payment: 15 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20231027 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 602009029403 Country of ref document: DE Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R081 Ref document number: 602009029403 Country of ref document: DE Owner name: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD., IE Free format text: FORMER OWNER: BLACKBERRY LTD., WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CA |